Bracket mounting for outboard motors



Oct. 27, 1953 E. c. KIEKHAEFER BRACKET MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed Aug. 15 1948,

2 Sheets-Sheet l a & zfilj i;

. m Z MW Oct. 27, 1953 E. c. KIEKHAEFER= I BRACKET MOUNTING For? OUTBOARD MOTORS 2". Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Augu 13, I948 JNVENTOR. [Zwer ffl iog/ar Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,656,813 BRACKET MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOT ORS

This invention relates to brackets for securing outboard motors to the stem or transoms of boats for use therewith and constitutes a continuation in part of the application of the present inventor filed September 5, 1947, Serial No. 772,346, now Patent No. 2,549,481.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a more easily assembled clamp bracket having means for adjusting the tilt of the motor with respect to the transom of the boat.

Another object is to provide for the positive locking of the motor against tilting when turned in the reverse direction.

Another object is to provide for the complete adjustment of the motor at the front of the bracket securing the motor to the transom of the boat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more easily assembled and fabricated clamp bracket of improved design and neat appearance.

Another object is to provide for greater strength and substantially less weight in such brackets to improve the general utility of the outboard motor.

.Another object is to reduce substantially the possibility of breaking or splitting the clamp bracket by securing the bracket to a boat unnecessarily tight as with a wrench.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a part of an outboard motor and bracket therefor with portions broken away to show the construction thereof and the tilt control mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bracket with certain parts broken away showing various details of construction thereof and showing a part of the motor in fully reversed position;

Fig. 3 is a line section of the bracket taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a line section of the bracket taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 isa line section of the bracket taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the parts comprising the bracket shown in Fig. 2 prior to assembly thereof;

Fig. 7 is a perspective illustration of an alternate construction of the bracket with a portion thereof broken away and sectioned; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the parts of the bracket illustrated in Fig. 7 prior to assembly thereof.

The outboard motor shown in part in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings comprises the engine unit I having a downwardly extending sleeve 2 preferably formed integrally with the crankcase of the engine, not shown, and fitting within the upper end of the housing 3 for the drive shaft 4, and the bracket 5 by which the motor is removably and conveniently secured to the transom 6 of the boat.

The swivel bracket 1 pivotally connects the motor to bracket 5, as will be described, to allow the tilting of the motor around a transverse horizontal axis as when the underwater part of the motor strikes a submerged object and pivotally supports the motor by the bearing 8 to provide for turning of the motor on a vertical axis to steer the boat.

Bracket 5 is adapted to fit over the top edge of transom 6 and comprises the two complementary right and left hand clamps 9 and I0 carrying the screws ll forwardly thereof by which the bracket may be tightly secured to the transom.

Clamps 9 and H! are U-shaped to fit over transom 6 and of U section throughout their length. The open side of the U section of each clamp faces the opposite clamp and is thereby concealed by the other parts of the bracket, as will be described. Clamps 9 and H] are of cast construction and ribbed as at l2 for lightness and strength. The outer dimensions of the clamps are curved for neat appearance and ease in handling. The forward end of each clamp extends downwardly over the front side of tran som 6 and carries one of the screws II which when tightened causes the rear end of each clamp to be engaged tightly against the back side of transom 6 to secure the motor.

The extending arms [3 and [4 formed integrally with the lower rear portions of clamps 9 and I0 have complementary end which overlap and fit together to join the same.

The curved bosses I5 on oppositely facing sides of clamps 9 and I0 and forwardly thereof carry the metal connecting channel i6 extending between and spacing clamps 9 and 10. The tie stud ll concealed behind channel I6 joins the forward parts of clamps 9 and ID with channel member l6 secured tightly therebetween. The bearing sleeve I8 extending through the forward end of bracket 1 above tie stud ll extends into holes in oppositely facing sides of clamps 9 and ill to carry bracket 1 therebetween and provide for the tilting of the motor relative to the boat.

The tilt adjustment of the motor and bearing support provided by the bracket illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 6 of the drawings is similar to that disclosed and claimed in the copending application of the present inventor filed September 5. 1947, Serial No. 772,346, for Reversible Outboard Motor, now Patent No. 2,549,481, granted April 17, 1951.

The tilt control comprises the movable crossbar l9 disposed beneath bracket 1 and riding at either end in the parallel slots 20 of the fixed bearing plates 2| recessed in the inwardly facing sides of clamps 9 and It, andthe'movable bearing plates 22 interposed between clamps 9 and I and swivel bracket I. Plates 22 are pivotally carried at their forward end bybearing sleeve l8 and are provided with horizontal-slbts23 through which cross-bar I9- extends at either end into slots 20 of the bearing plates 2|. The lugs '24 at the rear end of plates 22 extend inwardly and beheath swivel bracket 'l fto support the latter.

The screw adjustment 25 carried 'by 'sleeve l8 within a recess intlie'front of bracket 1 rovides for 'the "selective movement of cross bar f9 rarwaidly or rearwardly with respect to the bracket for tilt adjustment or "the motor. Slots 20 and 23 are 'ahg'ularly disposed so that movement of cross-bar l 9'ioi'wardly o'r rearwardly correspond ingly raises or lowersbeari'hg plates 22 and swivel bracket 1 supported by lugs 24.

In'tiltingo'f fihe'inot'or 'as'wh'e'nthe same strikes an underwater object, the motor and swivel bracket] move uptva'ra1y. rdtaang on bearing sleeve 18 while the tilt adjustment remains in place with respect to bracket '5. When the'fn'otor returns to normal position the swivel bracket moves downwardly to rest tn lugs 24 in the adjusted position.

Tilting of the motor whe'nthe'mbtbr is turned 180* for moving the boatin the'reverse direetidn is prevented by the flange 26 which engages lugs 24 and preventspivotal movement of the motor on sleeve [8. Flange 26 is preferably formed integrally with the drive sha-ft housing 3 at the rear thereof just belowthe swivel bracket] and 1 extends circumferentially of housing 3 with respect to the vertical turning axis of the moto'rin bearing 8-50 that engagement-of flange 26 beneath lugs 24, as shown iii-dotted lines in Fig.4, occur only when the motor is turned more than 90 in-eitherdirection. p

Flange 26-on housingfi prevents the motor-from "being reversed when the motor is -not in its proper position. If bracket 1 is-n0t fully seated cn-lugs 24, flange 26 willnot clear the'lugs and allow the motor to be 'turned'iurther into reverse thus preventing possible loss of the motor or injury to the operator as when the motor, tilting upwardly under its own :power, is-not locked in reverse.

Assembly of the complete bracket is accomplished by first assembling the screw adjustment "25 and swivel bracket 1 -on bearing sleeve 1 8 with the cross-bar l9 beneath bracket 1,, thenplacing the movable bearing :plates 22 on sleeve bearing 18 with the ends or "cross -bar I9 extending through slots 23 of plates 22 and the lugs -24 extending inwardly :beneath bracket 1, and then assembling clamps A sleeve 18 with cross-bar l9 riding in slots 20 of plates 2| and 'with channel l6 carried on bosses l of the clamps.

The tie stud l'lwhich securesthea'ssembly to gether is pref erab ly hexagonal 'for its entire comprising spaced clam l'riefil'brs, "a swim length to facilitate application bf a wrench 9 and It with plates 21 on 4 thereto for easily drawing clamps 9 and I0 tight. The lock nuts 21 on stud I! prevent the stud from becoming loose. The rivet 28 is applied to secure the two complementary joined ends of extending arms l3 and I4 together and complete the bracket assembly.

In the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. '7 and 8 the bracket 29 comprises a right andleit [clamp 30 and SI which are similar in construction to members 9 and In described above and which carry the screw adjustments 32 and 33. Clamps 39 and 3i are joined bythe f'or'ward and rear cross-members 34 and '35, respectively, which are cast integrally with clamps 3q-and 3 L Members 34 and 35 are each divided along the longitudinal vertical median plane of the bracket and joined by the bolts 35 extending through the respective flanges 31 formed integrally with each member. Flanges 31 extend rearwardly of the clamp and along the adjoining edges bf members 34 and 3 5 "for 66hcealmeht. a

The tilt adjustment shown i-n'Fig. 7 comprises a series of holes '38 along "the wwer rearside Of eachc'l'amp 39 and 3! i'n-a line having a anguiar relation to a transverse horizontalpin similar to the bearing pin I 8 *secur'ing swivel bracket 1. The pin 39 is inserted in a pair 'of holes -38 and supports the swivel bracket 1 "which rides forwardly against "the pin. By placing t '39 in the selected pair of holes the bracket 1 may be adjusted "and supported 1a 'the desired a'n'gu-lar relation to the transom of iJSi'e boat.

The bracket shown in Figs. "7 and 8 may be employed with the tilt control previously described and with motors prmimea with reindeering for reverse. Assembly of bracket 29 is si-"nii lar to that "of bracket '5 and 'isa'ccoinph'sheH by bringing clamps 30 aind3l together "with swivel bracket 1 prope l disposed -therebb tWeen alhd tightening bolts 36. V

'The construction of the brackets described pr-t- "vides the greatest "strength where the bracket is most subject to breaking when too tightly s'eciired to a boat. The n'eat appearing opposite outer sides of 'th'e'bracketcomprising the c h tei' portions of the "U section or each name member and extending -around the edge of-the are 'ho'tweakenedjby holes for the swivel "pin or bolts "securing the members together. bracket'siare rigid, "light in weightandifiexp'hlsive to manufacture.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the accompany-mg claims.

claim: I

1. An outboard Iiidtdi cC'SmpriSihgapCiWier'n'Iiit, a. housing'as'sociatea theiwithjasuppdft bfacket carrying thefpdwi unit and housing, a second bracket adapted to be "secured to a of a boat and having "a swivel connection with the support bracket fabclve ana'rcrwamytr the transom for tilting d'fth'e'mctorjspaced 'inclnredways in the second bracket rearwardly of fsa'id swivel connection and 'aboveth'e 'tra'rfsfomdf the boat, a cross bar immediately beheathfsaidsiippoit bracket spanning thespacebietween w ys and resting on each way, the support bracket 'hayi'n'g 'co ritact'with'the yoke, means f 01 Tiioiiin'g the yoke up and down the ways ""wheieb'y tnesnpptrt bracket is raised or lowered relative to the s'e'cdiid bracket.

2. In an 'outboaid'inotoi, a clamp bracketioi securing 'the motor to the transom of a 'boat and bracket supporting the motor for steering adjustment on a vertical axis and pivotally supported by said clamp bracket between said members for tilting and other adjustment of the motor on a transverse horizontal axis, spaced inclined ways formed in each of said bracket members rearwardly of said pivotal connection and above the transom of the boat, a cross bar carried at each end by a corresponding bracket member within said ways, a threaded draw bar swivelly supported by said bearing sleeve and connecting the same and said cross bar to move the latter forwardly and rearwardly in said ways, said swivel bracket being supported by said cross bar in the normal operation of the motor and adapted for relative adjustment on said bearing sleeve respecting the transom, a separate member pivotally supported by said bearing sleeve on each side of said swivel bracket and between the latter and the corresponding clamp and having slots through which said cross bar extends into the ways whereby said members are supported and moved to correspond with the adjustment of said swivel bracket, each of said members having lugs extending inwardly beneath said swivel bracket, and a flange carried by said motor and adapted to engage the underside of said lugs to prevent tilting of the motor in a reversed direction.

E. CARL KIEKHAEFER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,127,744 Linthwaite Aug. 23, 1938 2,441,000 Armstrong May 4, 1948 2,454,972 Martin Nov. 30, 1948 2,583,910 Watkins Jan. 29, 1952 

